Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron Rüppell, 1852

Blackchin tilapia

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Perciformes \| Cichlidae \| Pseudocrenilabrinae
Synonyms	Sarotherodon melanotheron, Tilapia melanotheron, Chromis macrocephalus, ... more
Common names	Silvery tilapia, Ifunu, 大头非鲫, ... more

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Main reference

Trewavas, E. and G.G. Teugels. 1991. (Ref. 4999)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator : Kullander, Sven O. | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 28.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 31256); common length : 17.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193)

Environment

Demersal; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19; depth range 3 - ? m (Ref. 5723)

Climate / Range

Tropical; 23°C - 25°C (Ref. 2060); 18°N - 0°N

Africa: Lagoons and estuaries from Côte d'Ivoire to Cameroon (Ref. 53405). Introduced to several countries in Asia, USA and Europe (Ref. 21). At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 26 - 28. Diagnosis: length of caudal peduncle 0.6-0.9 times in its depth (Ref. 53405). Melanic areas in adult usually present on lower parts of head, on cleithrum and on apices of caudal and soft dorsal fins; occasional irregular and asymmetrical spots on flanks probably representing vertical bars; median spot or transverse bar on nape rather constant (Ref. 2). Description: jaw teeth in 3-6 rows, outer row in upper jaw with 46-100 bicuspid teeth; outer jaw teeth bicuspid; inner jaw teeth tricuspid; lower pharyngeal bone long and narrow, its toothed part with fine, bicuspid teeth; micro-gillrakers present; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405). Coloration: in life: ground colour pale opalescent blue, each scale with darker or golden spot at base; 2-3 scale rows on back iridescent yellow; gill cover transparent in mature females, gills shining through and giving a purple appearance; chin, opercle and part of subopercle metallic golden in mature males; deep black spots on lower jaw, branchiostegal membrane, underside of head, above eye, on neck, cleithrum (from upper end to below pectoral-fin bases), and often 1-2 on sides; these often asymmetric spots darker and larger in mature males, but absent in juveniles; dorsal and anal fins with more or less distinct spots against iridescent greenish background; soft parts of fins often black-edged in mature individuals; caudal fin translucent, colourless or mauve, with deep-black angles; pectoral fins colourless, pelvics dark with white margin; "tilapian" spot present in juveniles, but disappears at sizes of 50mm SL (Ref. 53405).

Primarily in estuaries and lagoons (Ref. 53405). Abundant in mangrove areas and venture in to both fresh and salt waters in native and non-native ranges (Ref. 46816). Forms schools; is mainly nocturnal with intermittent daytime feeding. Feeds on aufwuchs and detritus (Ref. 2), as well as on bivalves and zooplankton (Ref. 28587). Occurs in lower reaches of streams and can tolerate high salinity (Ref. 5723).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Potential pest

Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

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Biogeographic modelling \| Bio-Quiz \| E-book \| Field guide \| Identification keys \| Length-frequency wizard \| Life-history tool \| Point map

Special reports
Check for Aquarium maintenance \| Check for Species Fact Sheets \| Check for Aquaculture Fact Sheets

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Summary page \| Point data \| Common names \| Photos

Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.16)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Low vulnerability (17 of 100)	Not marketed/unknown

Entered by Acosta, Belen

Modified by Musschoot, Tobias

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